Independence Day celebration at SteelStacks in Bethlehem

Fireworks — musical, comedic and literal — will be blasting in Bethlehem this weekend during the Independence Day Celebration presented by Embassy Bank at SteelStacks.

Organized in conjunction with the City of Bethlehem's fireworks display on Friday night, the two-day festival is free and family-friendly.

The highlight is a concert by the Allentown Band at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the Levitt Pavilion stage, followed by the fireworks. The oldest civilian concert band the U.S. is returning to play opera-infused overtures to patriotic compositions influenced by the music of John Philip Sousa. Ronald Demkee directs.

Music is plentiful Friday and Saturday, both in the Levitt Pavilion and on Air Products Town Square. The performances are diverse.

On Friday, the lineup on Air Products Town Square is Sing for America (3 p.m.), acoustic rock musician Andy Killcoyne (6 p.m.) and rock/dance band Common Bond (9:30 p.m.).

On Saturday, the lineup at Town Square is bluesman Mike Dugan (2:30 p.m.), country rock pop band Marla and the Juniper Street Band (6 p.m.) and singer-songwriter Lelica and her band (10 p.m.)

The Sofa Kings, a high-energy 10-piece, performs at the Levitt Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

For kids, there's a Summer Party 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Levitt Pavilion lawn and Air Products Town Square that's part of ArtsQuest's Peas & Qs series.

Kicking off the summer party is local favorite folk singer Dave Fry. A sprinkler party, water balloon toss and July 4 themed arts and crafts guided by Banana Factory artists follows.

Other outdoor activities include quoits and horseshoes.

Inside, comedic fireworks will be provided by improv group ManDudeBro, whose "4th of July Spectacular" is in Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema at 10:30 p.m. July 4. Member Jon Lunger says the group will be joined with Chicago-based improviser Vince Nigito, a DeSales alum. This event requires tickets: $6; $5, students and seniors; $4 members.